While many Columbia County events have moved to the new Evans park, the fourth annual Blues, Brews & BBQ series will remain at the Columbia County Amphitheater.

“We’ve got two great parks, and we can fill both of them up no problem,” said county Community Events Specialist Keela Colombraro.

The series begins at 7 p.m. this evening with a concert featuring the Keith Patterson Band, and Augusta blues band Shameless Dave and The Miracle Whips.

Barbecue will be served by Shane’s Rib Shack.

The Keith Patterson Band, hailing from Myrtle Beach, S.C., is led by songwriter and lead guitarist Keith Patterson.

Patterson, who spent years performing in several blues and rock bands, decided to branch out on his own in 2010 and recorded his own album, Stone Cold Blue.

The musicians that he recorded the 11-track CD with became his bandmates, which include lead vocalist and keyboardist Danny Korzelius, second guitarist Brian McKenzie, bassist Drew Jacobs and drummer John Taylor.

“It took off on us,” said Patterson of the group’s popularity. “I truly did not expect it.”

Patterson said the blues-rock band’s fan base extends from the South to as far away as London.

The group plays their original music at shows, he added.

Friday’s concert will mark the debut performance of the Keith Patterson Band in the Augusta area.

“We’re looking forward to it,” Patterson said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun down there.”

The series continues on April 20 with a concert featuring the Mike Watson Band and Lockdown Blues Band.

A barbecue meal will be provided by Cleve Edmunds Bar-B-Que.

The concerts typically draw a crowd size of between 500 and 1,000 people each night, Colombraro said.

“It’s a family atmosphere, but you get to cut loose on a Friday night and listen to some good blues music and drink some beer,” she said.

Coolers and food from outside the gates will not be allowed into the amphitheater.